34th Annual Bear River Commemoration: A People Still Standing, a Culture Still Speaking
Blackfeet Community College
34th Annual Bear River Commemoration
A People Still Standing, a Culture Still Speaking
Blackfeet Community College (BFCC) invites students, families, and community members to join the 34th Annual Bear River Commemoration, taking place on January 21–22, 2026, on the BFCC campus in Browning, MT. This annual event is a time for remembrance, reflection, and honoring the enduring strength and resilience of the Piikani people.
The commemoration acknowledges the history and ongoing impacts of the 1870 Bear River Massacre while uplifting Piikani voices through prayer, education, youth engagement, cultural teachings, and artistic expression. Elders, descendants, educators, artists, youth, and community partners come together to reflect on the past and strengthen pathways for healing and understanding in the present.
What to Expect
Attendees can look forward to a variety of meaningful experiences:
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Opening prayer and welcome
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Remarks from BFCC leadership, including President Brad Hall
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Special presentations from Blackfoot Confederacy scholars and community partners
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Cultural honoring, gifts, and songs
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Youth-focused educational and cultural activities
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Opportunities for community learning and reflection
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Art Show featuring works aligned with the theme “A People Still Standing, a Culture Still Speaking”
Historic Partnership Signing
On the morning of January 22, BFCC will host the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Glacier National Park (GNP), marking the start of a collaborative relationship to support educational, cultural, and professional opportunities for both partners. This agreement will promote park access through educational programming, support professional development for park staff, and enable college-sponsored cultural events within the park.
BFCC President Brad Hall said, “The college is a key resource for community-based knowledge. This partnership will be an important step in providing homeland access for community healing, advancing the park as a source of traditional ecological knowledge, and furthering partnerships to advance student success and community engagement initiatives at the college.”
GNP Superintendent Dave Roemer added, “It’s an honor to be a part of strengthening connections between the College and the Park and supporting Blackfeet culture and learning in Glacier National Park. This agreement furthers the Department of Interior’s goal of supporting tribal sovereignty and traditions.”
The MOA will be signed by Brian Carlstrom, Acting 6, 7, & 8 Regional Director for the National Park Service.
Honoring Community Support
BFCC will also honor leaders of the Glacier Park Conservancy, who donated $100,000 in 2024 to construct a native plant nursery on campus. This greenhouse will serve as a center for learning, research, and restoration of culturally significant plant species, with construction scheduled for completion later in 2026.
Agenda & Schedule
The full event agenda includes session times, presenters, locations, and activity details.
To ensure attendees have the most current information, the agenda is provided as a separate document.